Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner starts her two-day visit to Russia on Tuesday. She is to discuss the fight against international terrorism and extremism and the situation around Iraq with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Vice Premier Valentina Matviyenko, reads the official statement by the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

In addition, the situation in the Balkans and issues of mutual interest, for instance, the payments to Russian citizens, who were sent to forced labour in Austria during World War II, and the boosting of trade and economic relations, are on the visit's agenda.

On October 1st, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will hold talks with St. Petersburg's governor Vladimir Yakovlev and will deliver a report "The European Union, Austria and Russia" at St. Petersburg University.

On October 2nd, the Austrian Foreign Minister is to meet her Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov and Vice Premier Valentina Matviyenko in Moscow.